Namak Magazine

Exclusive Web Content! Go to Issue 01.01 Overview
On page 28, we introduced Arash, the hot new singer who is topping the charts in Europe. Here are some of the questions we posed and Arash's short, but interesting responses...

1. What's your birthday?
04/23/1977 (Don't worry, we'll do the math... that makes him 27)

2. Why did your family move from Iran?
I moved to Sweden with my parents. My father got a job offer.

3. What do your mom and dad do?
My mom and dad have a restaurant.

4. Have you been back to Iran?
I have been there 4 times. Last time was 3 years ago.

5. What do you remember most about Iran?
Kish and Shomal. It was so fun!

6. Among your brothers, are you the youngest, oldest or in the middle?
We are 3 brothers. I am the oldest. The other 2 are 20 and 23.

7. What's your relationship like with your parents, brothers?
I have a good relationship with my family. I love them so much.

8. What languages do you speak?
I speak Farsi, Swedish and English.

9. What does your family think of you being a performer?
In the beginning it was hard but they support me now. This is my life and I work as a music producer and songwriter.

10. Who inspires you as a person?
No one special... there are producers and singers that I like such as N.E.R.D.

11. Do you have a wife/girlfriend/significant other?
I am single. ;-)

12. What do you look for in a woman?
Intelligence, her eyes, humor, her shoes.

13. Have you ever been in love?
One time, she was not so good for me, and she is the reason why I wrote Boro Boro :)

14. Have you ever had your heart broken?
Same answer as number 13!

15. Who are your role models in and out of the Iranian community?
Among Persians: Ebi (the Singer), Among none Persians: My friend Henrik Uhlmann.

16. What's your life philosophy?
My life is music and music is my life.

17. How would your best friend describe you?
He is sitting here right now... wait he is sleeping. I woke him up: "kind, charismatic, talented, ambitious".

18. Do you have pets?
No.

19. What was your first big break in music?
I produced a CD for a famous Danish artist, it sold Platinum. This was 2 years ago.

20. What made you decide to go into music?
I used to break dance when I was young.

21. Did you ever consider/attempt a different career?
Yes. Architect.

22. Is music your full time job?
Yes... For the last 3 years.

23. What other jobs have you had?
Music teacher in school.

24. What are your professional goals?
To be a respected music producer and famous all over the world. :)

25. When will you know you’ve reached the status you’re aiming for?
Hard to say... I think I never will feel that I reached my goal.

26. Why do you keep doing what you do?
Cause I love my work and I can express my self through my music.

27. Which Iranian entertainers have you worked with?
Ebi and DJ Aligator.

28. Who would you like to work with?
N.E.R.D

29. Do you want to act also, or are you strictly a musician?
Both.

30. Have you faced challenges non-Iranian musicians don't face?
My music is for everybody so I work worldwide.

31. Are other family members also involved in music?
No.

32. Who inspires you musically?
Many different musicians.

33. What music do you listen to?
Hip Hop, R&B, Jazz.

34. What are you working on next?
Music for FIFA 2006.

35. How do you keep your music fresh?
Traveling a lot and listening to all radio stations over the internet.

36. What do you want people to get out of listening to your music?
I want to make everybody to dance and be happy.

37. What is the future of Iranian music?
Good future. I am sure that we will here more Persian singers on the international market.

38. Please list your albums, songs, singles.
My first album is Arash, like my name. My first Single was Boro Boro. My second single is Tike Tike Kardi. The third single have I not decided yet. My album will be released next month (March) in Sweden and after that in the rest of Europe. Boro Boro is number 1 in Russia now right now. :)

39. Do you get fan letters? Who from? What do they say?
From different countries... it's both Persians and non-Persians. I have fan mail from many countries all over the world. This fanmail is really the thing that makes me stronger!! Everybody can email me on arash@extensivemusic.com and every time I have the chance to answer, I do.

40. How is your following different in Europe versus the US?
I am not released in the U.S and I am in Europe and of course am I more known in Europe. :)

41. Why did you select an Indian theme for your first video?
I love to experiment with different styles of music. And I love Indian songs and movies. My music style is Oriental and it mixes everything from Indian , Persian and Scandinavian styles.

42. Do you consider yourself a community leader?
Not really.

43. Do you see yourself as just a musician or an Iranian musician?
I am a musician and I am from Iran so that would be like I am an Iranian Musician..

44. Say something funny.
Women are meant to be loved, not to be understood.

45. What advice would you give young Iranians?
Believe in your self and trust your instincts.

46. What advice would you give aspiring musicians?
Do the things you love, don't listen to others.

47. Tell us about an embarrassing moment.
There are many so I don't know where to begin...

48. What have you done (Musically or otherwise) that you're most proud of?
My Album of course! :)

49. What’s different in the entertainment industry post-9/11?
It is the same as all other industries... it dropped very hard after 9/11 and is not repaired yet. But that is also for many other reasons like downloading, and copying.

50. Any plans to go on tour? When will you be in the US?
Soon. We are planning to have some shows this year. For example, in Washington DC the 16th of April. I will also be in LA sometime in July.

51. Describe a typical day in your life.
Work Work Work Party Work and sleep........

Additional comments added by Arash:
I'm number 1 in Russia, Top 3 in Slovakia, Czech Republic and Ukraine. I have been number 1 in Sweden and Bulgaria. I will be releasing my album in many countries. You can read more on my homepage www.arash.se. I have about 100 hats and caps. They Play my new video Tike Tike Kardi on MTV-Europe. You can see it on www.mtve.com.